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"The Aircraft Standard of the World" 1930 Stinson SM-8A, Part 1: The Stinsons The original intent in producing this work was to create a picture story of 1930 Stinson SM-8A (NC469Y) proudly owned by George Alleman of Northern California. This in itself was not a bad idea. With some artistic photography. . .Voila! You have a good coffee table book. However, the work has morphed into much more than a simple picture book telling how one vintage Stinson airplane looks, 84 years after its date of manufacture. The Stinsons Take Flight The Edward A. Stinson, Sr. family from Fort Payne, Ala., was one of the most heralded families in American aviation history. Katherine Stinson, the oldest child, led her family into aviation. Katherine was not alone in this adventure; she had the encouragement and financial support of her parents, Edward and Emma. Eventually everyone in Katherine’s family was involved in aviation, whether through ?nancial assistance and encouragement, or active participation in the businesses. |
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Flabob Airport - Riverside, California Flabob Airport possesses an aviation history rich in both local and international interest. The success of the airport exists because a team of volunteers, businesses and non-profits educate and inspire young people to pursue aviation careers and become responsible citizens. With a communal commitment to mentoring, Flabob programs have succeeded and continue to thrive. |
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Sentimental Journey: The Air Fields of the Sixth Air Force; the Pacific Patrol Arc This is the last in a series of short histories of the air fields of America’s "Forgotten Air Force," the Sixth Air Force, which originally commenced some 20 years ago in the Summer 2003 (Volume 48, Number 2) issue of the Journal. Since then, we have examined the permanent pre-war and wartime stations in the Canal Zone itself (France Field, Albrook Field, Howard Field, New France Field and aerodromes in the Republic of Panama itself, including Rio Hato). This final installment is devoted to the vital system of bases established up and down through Mexico and Central America into the Pacific "shoulder" of mainland South America - and including the pivotal Galapagos Islands. This series has been prepared with materials collected for the author’s definitive history of Army aviation in defense of the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, ‘ALAE SUPRA CANALEM: The Sixth Air Force and Antilles Air Command’ (Turner Publishing Co., Paducah, KY, and now a collector’s item) that were too extensive to be included in that title, and thus they have been presented here as a memorial to the men and women who served in those far-off, isolated bastions where there was truly "No Ground to Give." There is no memorial, no marker, no surviving symbol in those exotic places, now so familiar to sun-seekers, to commemorate their passing and, in many instances, the ultimate sacrifice that many of them made. As we have seen in the last two installments in this series, nature and geography had conveniently provided U.S. defense planners with a practically tailor-made solution for the aerial protection of the Atlantic and Caribbean approaches to the vital Panama Canal.
But the Pacific approaches held no such advantages and, as the defenders struggled to contain the German and Italian submarine offensive in the Caribbean during most of 1942, they were, at precisely the same time, looking over their shoulders apprehensively for what they were certain might be an even more powerful Japanese stroke across the vast Pacific. |
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The Vought V-326 and V-326A, These test beds remain unknown The Vought V-326 and V-326A, now forgotten, launched the career of the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major, one of the finest engines designed during the Second World War. |
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The Celebration that Wasn’t; The 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Up until the mid-1970s when Red Flag and Topgun were established, U.S. military aircraft often carried colorful markings. The dictates of air combat, however, turned virtually the entire military into a mostly gray airplane as "he who sees first lives." |
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The Story of Major Pierce McKennon "This will be a rough mission," 1st Lt. Pierce W. McKennon of Fort Smith, Ark., mused to himself as he pulled his six foot frame into the snug little cockpit of the P-51 Mustang fighter plane. Schweinfurt had been a veritable hell of flak and a nest of aggressive, highly-capable German fighter pilots for many months. On October 14, 1943, only six months before, a fleet of 228 American B-17 and B-24 bombers had lost 60 planes while attempting to knock out the ball bearing plants located in that central German stronghold.[1] |
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There is a lot going on behind the scenes at your AAHS headquarters that does not get regular coverage. The
following provides a snapshot of activities during the last quarter. Don’t forget that there are opportunities for you to actively help further the objectives of the Society. Just contact Membership and volunteer. Year end is rapidly approaching- and the holiday season. You might have seen your Fall JOURNAL come in the mail - it’s marvelous! As usual! I had opened my mailbox, enroute to an errand, and instead of running the errand I sat in the driveway and read the Journal. GREAT article by Ed Martin and others, and an unusual cover painting. |
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This issue of the Forum focuses features the aircraft that were on display at the Edwards AFB Open House held in mid October - their first open house in 13 years. Thanks to John Martin for the coverage. |
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News & Comments from our Members From AAHS Journal, Vol .67, No. 3, Spring 2022 Joel Caulton |
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Our organization, along with the world, experienced a year full of tumult and promise, successes and setbacks, with more of both certain in the coming year. How we handle the setbacks and capitalize on our successes will set the tone for our survival as an organization going forward. |
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